Foster carers, social workers and education professionals working with children in care enjoyed an opportunity to share best practice and find out more about supporting young people into university at the 2014 Realise Insight Day.

鈥淭hese days are really good. Each time you come to one you learn a little bit more."

Irene Smith, Foster Carer

Organised by the 探花直播 of Cambridge鈥檚 Realise project for young people in care, and hosted by Newnham College, the Insight Day included an update on student finance, a session on careers, and a tour of the College鈥檚 accommodation and study facilities.

Realise aims to support young people in care to access Higher Education by providing taster days at the 探花直播 of Cambridge, packed with advice, inspiration and support.

A typical Realise event includes academic-led sessions focusing on a particular subject area, an opportunity to explore the 探花直播, and age-appropriate talks about support for care leavers at university, student finance and careers. Student ambassadors鈥 and if possible a care leaver - are also on hand throughout the day to discuss student life.

探花直播Insight Day was created in recognition of the important role foster carers and other professionals play in providing advice and support to young people considering whether to stay in education.

鈥 探花直播adults in our lives can have a huge impact on us as we grow up,鈥 explains Claire Gardner, who co-ordinates the Realise project at the 探花直播 of Cambridge.

鈥淓nsuring that professionals and carers have accurate, up-to-date information about higher education and the support available for care leavers, is crucial to young people in care considering university as a realistic option for them.鈥

Irene Smith attended as one of a group of foster carers from Essex. 鈥淲e need to find out ourselves, because it鈥檚 changed so much recently,鈥 Irene said. 鈥 探花直播information about financial support was especially helpful.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 also been interesting to see the steps you take to apply through UCAS.

鈥淭hese days are really good. Each time you come to one you learn a little bit more,鈥 Irene added.

鈥 探花直播Insight Day gave participants the opportunity to shared their experiences of supporting children in care in their education, and the challenges that they faced,鈥 Claire commented.

鈥淓veryone worked together to suggest ways forward, and I feel really positive knowing that these professionals left the event feeling equipped with the information and skills necessary to support the young people in their care to succeed in their education, and aspire to attend university.鈥

  • For more about Realise, and the support available for children in care who are thinking about apply to university, visit:

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